The 2011 Republican plan for tech: spectrum, security, copyright

Republicans announced their 2011 tech agenda yesterday. They want more …

Saying that the big problem for high-tech companies is "job-crushing regulations coming from Washington," House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) rolled out the Republican tech agenda yesterday. Finding more spectrum for mobile broadband, protecting the US from cyberattacks, and making sure intellectual property law stays “strong” are the cornerstones of the Republican agenda.

The new plan marked an "exciting day for the technology community across America and a day that they have been waiting for for a long time," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), who chairs the House Republican Technology Working Group.

Republican leaders announcing their tech policy agenda

Only a few of the items are explicitly tech-focused, and the policy prescriptions so far are pretty skeletal. (Who doesn't want "innovative" laws that allow for " dynamic solutions" to "dynamic problems"?) Still, finding more spectrum for wireless and working on cybersecurity have been a concern to both parties, as have moves to increase IP enforcement, so substantive work has already been done in these agenda items:

Promote Spectrum Availability and Efficiency: "Spectrum policy will play an integral role in the expansion of mobile broadband over wireless devices. The exploding demand for spectrum could also play a role in decreasing the deficit by producing auction revenue."

Protect the US from Cyber Attacks: "We will work to enact strong cyber-security protections in this Congress that focus on increasing protections in an innovative manner that allows for dynamic solutions to this dynamic problem."

Protect American Intellectual Property: "America is the most innovative nation on earth, due in part to the strong intellectual property protections our founders included in the Constitution and Congress' commitment to keep those protections strong and current."

The remaining agenda items are more general and cover traditional Republican principles on free trade, low taxes, and less regulation.

Promote Free and Fair Trade: "In order to increase competitiveness of American companies, we will work to pass pending free trade agreements to expand market access for domestic products and promote free and fair trade."

Update the Tax Code to Ensure Job Growth: "We will promote tax reforms that put Americans back to work, simplify the code to lower rates on families and businesses, and encourage companies to invest domestically."

Ensure American Access to the Best Workers: "We will examine current education programs to make sure they are operating efficiently. We will also examine current visa and immigration laws to make sure we attract and retain the best and brightest minds from around the world."

The Business Software Alliance praised the announcement. "The agenda unveiled today is noteworthy in several respects, starting with its emphasis on protecting American intellectual property from theft overseas," said CEO Robert Holleyman in a statement. "Rampant software piracy in China and other fast-growing technology markets inhibits US sales and exports, which stifles job creation."

The Consumer Electronics Association liked the emphasis on spectrum and visa reform. "Providing additional spectrum for wireless broadband, completing free trade agreements and increasing the number of highly skilled workers here on visas are common-sense measures that will provide an immediate boost to investment and the economy, and will create American jobs," said CEO Gary Shapiro in a statement. "CEA urges Congress to place laser-like focus on this pro-innovation agenda to give the dynamic technology industry more tools to lift America out of our economic doldrums."